The Holiday Season is just not the same,
A smile is missing when saying one name. For parents who’ve lost a daughter or son,
Nothing can bring back the delightful fun,
Of watching them talk, laugh, or just run. The memories are all that we do have now,
We do go on…..only God knows how. A New Year comes as midnight arrives,
Our Angels still a big part of our lives. If only we could trade the presents we receive,
For one more day with those whom we grieve! But nothing can bring back our beloved child,
The one that laughed, cried, and often smiled. They are together in a much better place,
Watching us cry…..touching our face! Although we miss them on Holidays to share,
Be assured their loving presence fills the air,
At home, in church, at New York’s Times Square! So celebrating the Holidays are now hard to do,
But always remember they are thinking of you too, Wishing you happiness and showing their love,
Not on this Earth, but from Heaven above!

Written by Dan Bryl, Lawrenceville, GA TCF
In Memory of his daughter, Jessica

IN THE LOSS OF YOUR LOVED ONE.

MEMORIES LIVE FOREVER, THEY GROW RICHER THROUGH THE
YEARS, THEY ARE NURTURED BY OUR LAUGHTER THEY ARE
WATERED BY OUR TEARS.
MEMORIES LIVE FOREVER, SENT FROM HEAVEN UP ABOVE.
TO ETERNALLY CONNECT US TO THE PEOPLE THAT WE LOVE
MAY MEMORIES KEEP YOUR LOVED ONE NEAR AND COMFORT YOU
UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN.

Author Unknown

THERE ARE SOME THINGS I'D LIKE TO SAY, BUT FIRST OF
ALL, KNOW THAT I ARRIVED OKAY.
I'M WRITING THIS FROM HEAVEN, WHERE I DWELL WITH GOD
ABOVE. WHERE THERE ARE NO MORE TEARS OR SADNESS,
THERE IS JUST ETERNAL LOVE.
PLEASE DO NOT BE UNHAPPY JUST BECAUSE I'M OUT OF
SIGHT, REMEMBER THAT I AM WITH YOU EVERY MORNING, NOON,
AND NIGHT.
THAT DAY I HAD TO LEAVE YOU WHEN MY LIFE ON EARTH WAS
THROUGH, GOD PICKED ME UP AND HUGGED ME AND SAID, "I
WELCOME YOU.
ITS GOOD TO HAVE YOU BACK AGAIN, YOU WERE MISSED WHILE
YOU WERE GONE.
AS FOR YOUR DEAREST FAMILY, THEY'LL BE HERE LATER ON.
I NEED YOU HERE SO BADLY AS A PART OF MY BIG PLAN,
THERE'S SO MUCH THAT WE HAVE TO DO TO HELP OUR MORTAL
MAN."
THEN GOD GAVE ME A LIST OF THINGS HE WISHED FOR ME TO
DO, AND FOREMOST ON THE LIST OF MINE, IS TO WATCH AND
CARE FOR YOU. AND I WILL BE BESIDE YOU EVERY DAY &
EVERY WEEK & YEARAND WHEN YOU'RE SAD I'M STANDING THERE
TO WIPE AWAY THE TEARS, BUT DO NOT BE AFRAID TO CRY,
IT DOES RELIEVE THE PAIN. REMEMBER, THERE WOULD BE NO
FLOWERS UNLESS THERE WAS SOME RAIN.
I WISH I COULD TELL YOU OF ALL THAT GOD HAS PLANNED,
BUT IF I WERE TO TELL YOU, YOU WOULDN'T UNDERSTAND.
BUT ONE THING IS FOR CERTAIN, THOUGH MY LIFE ON EARTH
IS OVER, I AM CLOSER TO YOU NOW THAN I EVER WAS
BEFORE.
AND TO MY MANY FRIENDS, TRUST GOD KNOWS WHAT'S BEST.
I'M STILL NOT FAR AWAY FROM YOU, I'M JUST BEYOND THE
CREST.
THERE ARE ROCKY ROADS AHEAD OF YOU.
IF YOU CAN HELP SOMEBODY WHO IS IN SORROW AND IN PAIN THEN
YOU CAN SAY TO GOD AT NIGHT, MY DAY IS NOT IN VEIN.
AND NOW, I'M CONTENTED THAT MY LIFE IT WAS WORTHWHILE,
KNOWING AS I PASSED ALONG THE WAY, I MADE SOMEBODY
SMILE.
SO IF YOU MEET SOMEBODY WHO IS DOWN AND FEELING LOW,
JUST LEND A HAND TO PICK HIM UP AS ON YOUR WAY YOU GO.
WHEN YOUR WALKING DOWN THE STREET AND YOU'VE GOT ME ON
YOUR MIND, I'M WALKING ON YOUR FOOTSTEPS ONLY HALF A
STEP BEHIND.
AND WHEN YOU FEEL A GENTLE BREEZE OR THE WIND UPON
YOUR FACE, THAT'S ME GIVING YOU A GREAT BIG HUG OR JUST
A SOFT EMBRACE.
AND WHEN IT'S TIME FOR YOU TO GO FROM THAT BODY TO BE
FREE, REMEMBER YOU'RE NOT GOING YOU'RE COMING HERE TO
ME.
AND I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU FROM THAT LAND WAY UP
ABOVE. WE'LL BE IN TOUCH AGAIN SOON.
~ AUTHOR UNKNOWN

This beautiful Christmas gift for Angel Antonio is from Linda and her Angel Tina

Christmas In Heaven

I see the countless Christmas trees around the world below
with tiny lights like heaven's stars reflecting on the snow.

The sight is so spectacular please wipe away that tear
for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I hear the many Christmas songs that people hold so dear
but the sounds of music can't compare with the Christmas choir up here.

I have no words to tell you of the joy their voices bring
for it is beyond description to hear the angels sing.

I know how much you miss me, I see the pain inside your heart for I am spending Christmas with Jesus Christ this year.

I can't tell you of the splendor or the peace here in this place Can you just imagine Christmas with our Savior face to face?

I'll ask him to lift your spirit as I tell him of your love
so then pray for one another as you lift your eyes above.

Please let your hearts be joyful and let your spirit sing
for I am spending Christmas in heaven and I'm walking with the King.

Wanda Bencke,
"copyright 1998"
published by permission

Author's Note: "Lysandra Kay Bencke was my thirteen year old handicapped daughter. On Christmas day 1997, Lysandra had a seizure and was in a coma for five days before she passed away. During those five days I wrote the poem "Christmas in Heaven". I sent it out in belated Christmas cards to over
100 friends and relatives that year. They have also sent it on to other friends and relatives, thus how the poem has been changed and the story behind it."